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About this project

NOTE: Gina Johnson created this KickStarter Project page since she is both the Author and Project Manager. Marla Fund is the Financial Manager and for tax purposes, posted the project on her (Marla's) KickStarter account.

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“People think that gamers game just to have fun… and while that is true, there are many more reasons why people game."
- Gina Johnson

'WHY I GAME!' BOOK
OVERVIEW

Created by Gina Johnson, the Why I Game! Book was formed to defend the gaming industry. By not only sharing the benefits of playing video games, but including her story, and those of others, the book will provide proof of why people game.

Following the mass casualty events in July 2012, I decided to stand up and defend the gaming industry.

Why?

Because the industry is being threatened- Mainly by those who don’t play video games.

Most people game and approve of it. But politicians that represent the United States Government and some others seem to think that gaming is the cause of these tragic events. Events like the movie theatre and Newtown, CT shootings in 2012.

Gina is going to change that perspective with my new book titled: Why I Game!

Why I game! is exactly how it sounds, it’s a book explaining why Gina, and others play video games. I’ve been working on it for months, and now I’m getting to the part where I need your help to make it a reality.

INCLUDED IN THE BOOK

The book will be around 100 to 150 pages, featuring almost all pages full color. The book will also feature 4 sections:

1. Statistics – Represented by info-graphics

2. Benefits – Represented by research studies

3. Real Life Stories – Represented by the community

4. Gina’s story

The first will focus on the statistics of the average gamer, including data pertaining to things like: Male VS Female comparisons, System & genre use, Play styles, and more. But I will also focus on statistics that talk about gaming in the classroom, and include information about parents who game and/or have kids who play video games.

The Second will summarize most of the recent (within 6 years) studies that universities and researchers did to show why gaming is good. Things I will be featuring include: PTSD Benefits, Increased Hand-Eye coordination, Benefits for seniors 55+, more social interaction, and finally proof… that doctors who game perform better while operating on patients.

The third section will be a collection of stories and statements of why people game. The fourth section will feature a short auto-biography on specifically why Gina games.

The goal is to not only provide the statistics, but the evidence as well. Add this to a true story of why gaming saved a life, and you get the reasons why people game.

Some people however have questioned why a book about the benefits of video games is important.

Here is Gina's answer...

The President of the United States of America has asked the CDC, and Congress to delegate $10 Million dollars to determine the affect of video game violence, and how it relates to the increasing amount of gun violence. This is the 113th Session of the Senate, Bill number 134 that I talked about in the KickStarter video.

This book when published/printed, will go to every State congressman in Washington, DC. Both Senator, and House of Representatives from each state will receive an eBook copy free of charge.

The purpose of the book is to ask politicians not just in the US, but around the world... "Do you really know the benefits of playing video games?" If you do that's great, but as I can see it, almost 2/3rds of the US Government do not understand them. So this book is here to show it to them.

Right now, sections 2 and 4 have been completed. However, we need the communities support to finish the book.

BUDGET:

NO PRINTING COSTS??

The initial printing costs proved to be too great... so Gina decided instead of asking for money to print the book, she would ask for funds to get the book professionally published. By doing the publishing through Amazon.com's free self publishing service, Gina can rely on their FREE Print on Demand (POD) ability.

WHAT IS POD?

POD is a revolutionarily way for authors who do not have the resources to store and distribute their books to do it in an economic eco-friendly manor. By printing the book only when their are actual orders for it, there is no need to print in bulk, and store the items longterm. It saves printing costs, and its free.

WHY IS POD FREE?

It is free because Amazon's POD service takes royalties from each book printed. When a customer places an order for the book, Amazon prints and distributes the book.

However the fine details include having author of the book being in control of the price, then Amazon charges a fee for printing, plus a service charge. The remaining funds are given to the author. Yet still the book is received by the customer for the set price. For more information about their royalty system please visit here.

SECONDARY BUDGET

COMMUNITY CENTERED

We want gamers to share their stories, and artwork. Since we feel that multiple accounts of why people game will brighten the truth to those who don’t play.
However not much attention has been driven to the books site. So we are asking the public to submit their history and/or skills along with a possible donation to help see the book come to light.

KICKSTARTING THE BOOK

With enormous publishing, printing, and marketing costs, we need the publics help. To finish the book we need to:

ISN’T PUBLISHING FREE?

Yes, self publishing is free, however, in order for our book to have the highest quality for the images and info-graphics, we decided to invest in having companies do the most difficult parts of the book.

WHY?

To make the Why I Game! Statement an icon in the gaming industry, Gina decided to research the key components of bestsellers. What she found was that all bestsellers hire outside developers. So Gina decided to utilize the crowd-funding platform to cover the initial costs.

BUT WHAT HAS KICKSTARTER HAVE TO DO WITH IT?

Gina has made an effort to fund this herself. However, being on government assistance due to her disabilities, Gina has not been able to afford the costs herself.

But wait…

Gina really wants to see this book happen, so, she invested $4000 in both family loans and savings, to help market the book beforehand to corporate companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.

She went to E3 in 2013, and is going to the upcoming International CES in January. Though she has reached out to those major gaming companies, she has yet to hear back on if they will help.

After 6 months waiting for a response, Gina decided to go with KickStarter to jump-start their interest. She figured that if the public really wanted to see it happen, than KickStarter was the official source to go to, to get national attention. Therefore, those 3 major companies will have no option but to get involved.

After all, this book is part of Gina’s plan to revolutionize how the public treats the gaming community.

REVOLUTIONIZE? WHAT REVOLUTION?

Like all books, there is a purpose in which authors write, and Gina is no different, however, she has felt that gaming has had too much of the negative spotlight… so she intends to change that perspective.

HOW?

The first goal is to get the book written, published, and distributed. With KickStarter, it will gather attention, hopefully national attention.

This will allow her to gather enough funds from the books’ sale to do a documentary on the same subject.

However, note she attempted to get the film first, but she found that most who would back her would rather want a book before investing in the film.

In between the sales of the book, and the production of the film, Gina plans on speaking across multiple avenues. Her mission? Be the gaming communities “Senator.” Advocate for the industry, and the millions of gamers by gathering attention to the epic scale the gaming industry has provided.

This scale includes jobs, an extended economy, innovation, and improving technology. Plus, gaming is becoming more popular than movies, books, and music. So getting it restricted would be a bad idea.

RESTRICTED??! IS VIDEO GAMING ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?

Yes, and no. With the mass casualty events these past 2 years, more people are pointing the fingers at the gaming industry for the initial cause of the mental state for the attackers.

However the gaming community knows better. We know that video games provide more benefits then consequences. Even though the rest of the public does not understand this.

This however, has not stopped the public in asking is violent video games the answer? With that question in mind, President Obama asked congress to research the benefits of violent video games and media. This Bill is known as: Senate Bill number 134, Aka the Violent Content Research Act. During the congressional session of 2014, this bill is likely to be passed.

So why not defend what we love so dear?

This is Gina’s mission.

By changing the way (or at least informing) the public thinks about video games, gamers can feel a sense of security when it comes to what they hold most dear.

WHO IS GINA JOHNSON?

The following is from Gina Johnson:

“Growing up practically from birth, I was raised in a hospital… and the only thing that kept me going through all the surgeries/procedures was gaming. Video gaming saved my life, and now, I’m trying to save it in return.

At the Arcades (When I was 8) with my grandmother: Marla

Hi, my name is Gina Johnson. I’m from Boise, Idaho, and I’m known to some as a disabled female gamer on Xbox Live. My gamertag is Dogiojoe. I have also been playing video games for most of my life. As I’ve played on all the major and minor systems, including the classics, and current gen devices.
For my full gaming profile please visit: www.wix.com/dogiojoe/joeswebb

Xbox Live Avatar

Getting ready for surgery!

Getting treatment at the hospital while playing Super Nintendo! [See black box in photo if you haven't already noticed]

Playing Halo 4 on my Xbox 360 in my Gamer Girls' Cave!

Can’t Donate?? Not a problem!

Here’s how you can still help:

Are you an artist?- If so Do you draw, paint, sketch, anything video game related? If you do, then contact me, and send me your best work. I will evaluate it and if I like it, I will hire you to draw some illustrations to use it in the book.

Do you have connections? - Meaning do you know other gamers, companies, or artists? If you do, then share project with them. Those who have connections to retailers or businesses, will be “thanked” and will receive 1 eBook copy for every business that wants to sell my book. Just make sure that business gives me your contact information.

Do you have a similar story about video games saving and/or helping your life? - Then send them over, preferably with proof (photos, others knowing of your story). I will then choose up to 5 short stories to go along with my 3rd section of the book. If yours is chosen, you will receive a 1 eBook copy, 2 paperback copies, and 3 hardback copies of the book for free.

I would like to say Thank You for taking the time to read through, and finding out more about my project.

Sincerely,

Gina Johnson (Author/Project Manager)

&

Marla Fund (Financial Project Lead Manager)

THANK YOU! For visiting and or donating to this KickStart Project!

Risks and challenges

Possible Challenge 1: Requesting permission to use Info-graphics could take longer than expected.

Solution: Have backers vote on which info-graphics they want the most, (after I compile all the ones). For those with the highest numbers, I will focus on getting permission by sending a letter with a deadline date. If the deadline is met, I will use it, if the deadline is not met, than I won't put it into the book.

Solution: Set clear and firm deadlines for those who want to contribute. Miss the deadlines, and it will not be published. Though backers who contribute during the KickStarter timeframe will have a longer deadline since they donated to the project.

Possible Challenge 3: Interior Layout of book may take longer than expected.

Solution: Before moving into the layout/design phase, receive artwork, images from community. Then look at different layouts, and color themes. Have the community vote on which one they want most and submit that information before design phase starts.

Possible Challenge 4: In danger of missing publishers deadline.

Solution: Choose a publisher that is flexible on timing. Aim for release in late June. Set timeline where each month I have a certain timeframe where things must be completed. Aka, March should have all the community and backer stories, images, and artwork. April, will have design ideas/themes submitted. May, have the finished design implemented. Also start work on producing Interactive eBook and backer rewards. June, Print, Publish, and Market book.

Possible Challenge 5: Backer rewards may be delayed

Solution: Keep backers in the loop. Stay strict on production schedule. As soon as the book is published, and starts printing, start shipping backer rewards. Since other rewards will be ready by the time book is printing.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Thank You on website PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS You can create a 3 sentence or 35 word comment on Why “You” Game and it will be published in the book. See Content Requirements. Includes 2 books, your choice.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Thank You on website PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS You can create up to 1 ½ paragraphs or (75) words on Why “You” Game. Which will be published in the book. Includes your choice of 3 books. PLUS VIP Access to all launch events.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $117 or more
About $117

Thank You on website PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS You can create a 3 sentence or 35 word comment on Why “You” Game, which will be published in the book. See content Requirements. Includes your choice of 4 books. PLUS a private MP gaming session on any of the Halo titles

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

Thank You on website PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS you can create up to 5 paragraphs or (450) words on Why “You” Game which will be published in the book. See Content Requirements. Includes your choice of 3 books. VIP Access to all launch events, PLUS 2 T-Shirts, 2 (1 info graphic, 1 book cover) posters. Plus Info-graphic download link.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $343 or more
About $343

Thank You on website PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS you can create up to 1 paragraphs or 60 words on Why “You” Game or why you play Halo... which will be published in the book. See Content Requirements. Includes your choice of 3 books. VIP Access to all launch events, PLUS 3 T-Shirts, 2 (1 info graphic, 1 book cover, 1 Halo/343 Industries Poster of the next Halo game) posters. Plus Info-graphic download link.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Thank You on website AND book PLUS Ability to vote on polls PLUS you can create up to 5 paragraphs or (450) words on Why “You” Game which will be published in the book. See Content Requirements. Includes your choice of 4 books. VIP Access to all launch events, PLUS 2 T-Shirts, 2 (1 info graphic, 1 book cover) posters. Plus Info-graphic download link.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

Thank You on website AND Book PLUS your choice of 3 books. PLUS All info-graphics used in the book made into posters, PLUS VIP Access to any launch events PLUS Lunch with Gina where you will find out the first details on Gina's next book.